Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosa
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
A large, elegant wader that is one of the more reliable sights at Marshside RSPB. The Icelandic subspecies winters in good numbers along the Sefton Coast. They're strikingly orange-red on the breast in spring plumage. The black and white tail pattern is diagnostic in flight. The UK breeding population is critically endangered — fewer than 100 pairs remain — making the wintering flocks here particularly important.
At a Glance
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Habitat | Coastal lagoon · Estuary · Flooded fields |
| Diet | Worms, molluscs, crustaceans probed from mud and shallow water |
| UK population | Around 50,000 wintering Icelandic birds; UK breeding population critically endangered with fewer than 100 pairs |
| Sefton Coast | Regular at Marshside; peak counts of 50–200 birds in winter |
| Conservation | UK Red List |
Where to See It
Marshside RSPB lagoons. Often stands in deeper water than other waders, sometimes up to its belly.
Identification
Large, long-billed wader. Straight bill (compare Bar-tailed's upturned). Bold black tail with white base visible in flight. Orange-red breast in summer.
Viewing & Photography Tips
The lagoon closest to the Marshside road often holds a group. Scan for birds standing in mid-depth water.
Conservation Status
UK Red List
This species is on the UK Red List for Birds (BoCC5), indicating serious concern about its population decline or unfavourable conservation status. Monitoring this species on the Sefton Coast contributes to national population tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I tell Black-tailed from Bar-tailed Godwit?
The key difference in flight is the tail — Black-tailed has a bold black and white tail; Bar-tailed has a barred tail with no white base. On the ground, Black-tailed has a straight bill; Bar-tailed's bill curves gently upward. Both are large waders.
Are Black-tailed Godwits endangered in the UK?
The UK breeding population (islandica subspecies) is critically endangered with fewer than 100 pairs, mainly in the Nene and Ouse Washes. However, the Icelandic subspecies (islandica) is much more numerous and winters in large numbers on the Sefton Coast.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.